Peace and Welcome! This blog is intended to be a manifestation of my thoughts and reflections on articles or topics I find inspiring. All of this, God willing, is formed with a pure intention to be a part of the Quest for the Divine...Sisters and Brothers, let's blog on!

Bismillah!

Saturday, October 14, 2006

More Encouragement in the Last 10 Days/Nights!

The Messenger of Allah said: "Ramadaan has come to you -- a blessed month. Allah has made it obligatory upon you to fast in it. During this month, the gates of heaven are open, the gates of the Hellfire are closed and the evil devils are chained. To Allah belongs a night in it, which is better than a thousand months. Whosoever is prevented from its good, then he has been prevented."

The believer remembers the Prophet's (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) advice in different sayingswherein he used words like "seek", "pursue", "search" and "look hard" for Laylatul Qadr.For those who worship on laylatul Qadr, their gift is that of past sins wiped away. The sincere believer who worries day and night about his sins and phases of neglect in his life patiently awaits the onset of Ramadan, the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)promised those that worship Allah during the last ten days shall have all their sins forgiven.

Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) used to exert more in worship on the last ten than on other nights. We should worship Allah on this night with firm conviction in what Allaah has prepared for those who stand in prayer during thismagnificent night,seeking reward and the attainment of recompense, Lailat ul-Qadr or Night of Power is a very important occasion in the history of Islam and in our personal lives. Laylatul Qadr is the crowning glory of the sacred month of Ramadhan. It is associated with the sending down of the Qur'an Majeed,this day marks the anniversary of his Prophethood on earth. Allah announces to the angels His already decreed commands, rules, events, for the coming calendar year, from the present Night of Power to the next Night of Power. "We sent the Qur'an down during a blessed night Laylatul Qadr ; We forever wish to warn (against evil). In that (night) is made distinct every affair of wisdom." This is the night of honor and prestige which may be awarded to that servant who devotes himself/herself to special deeds, or to the deeds themselves for the higher value they contain on that night."

Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong)."The Night of Power is better for you to live, to experience and to enjoy than one thousand months of your personal life.If you were to live one thousand months (83 years and 4 months) with sincerity, dedication, and sacrifices and with good intentions and deeds, the Night of Power is still far better for you to live and to enjoy, whosoever is interested in receiving the blessings of Allah may look forward to the Night of Power.

Every one of us would like to live a life free of sins and free of mistakes. Everyone would like to meet Allah on the Day of Judgment without sins. Every one of us would like to feel that he/she is reborn today. All of us wish to rejuvenate ourselves, and to start a new year with a freshoutlook and a fresh life. Every one of us wants to live a pure life and everyone wants to purify himself/herself without anguish or torment. The Night of Power is one of the best ways in which a person is to achieve all these ideals.

The opportunity of Laylatul Qadr is here now. Life is about people that take advantage of their opportunities to win the love of Allah, and this is indeed one of those chances, pray to Allah that we do not miss our opportunity of standing to Allah on Laylatul Qadr.

'A'ishah reported that she asked Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) "O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which night is Laylatul Qadr, what should I say during it?"And he instructed her to say:"Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee - O Allah! You are forgiving, and you love forgiveness. So forgive me."

The Prophet (sallallaahu`alaihiwasallam) said: "When a man prays with the Imaam until he concludes, it is recorded that he prayed the rest of that night." Just as in this material world there is a certain climate in a certain part of the year in which the seeds of a particular crop must be sown if they are to sprout, and if done in some other periods of time it will not yield the required produce,

"And We grant Man what he asks, But if ye count the favors of Allah,never will you be able to number them. Verily, man is given up toinjustice and ingratitude".

What we can do during these remaining days and nights:

Pray Salaah (As much as you can!)Recite the Holy Qur'an in Arabic along with its meaningOccupy yourself with DhikrMake Du'aa and Supplicate to your Lord!!

About Me

Born and raised in Northern California, Shamira Chothia Ahmed is an emerging young female scholar of the traditional Islamic sciences. Her studies led her to seek sacred knowledge from scholars on three continents — Africa, Europe, and Asia. Upon receiving ijaazas (authorizations) to teach from renowned scholars in various Islamic disciplines, she was granted the opportunity to be an instructor of Hanafi fiqh for women at the Zaytuna Institute in Hayward, California. Privately, she taught fiqh (jurisprudence), tajwid (cantillation) and Qur'anic tafsir (exegesis). Ustadha Shamira gives lectures across the U.S. to various female audiences.